Tuning apparatus for musical instruments



Dec. 4, 1945. BRYANT 2,390,237

TUNING APPARATUS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed May 21, 1943 PatentedDec. 4, 1945 TUNING APPARATUS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Niles Bryant,Augusta, Mich. Application May 21, 1943, Serial No. 487,867 6 Claims.(01. 84-456) This invention relates to improvements in tuning apparatusfor musical instruments.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a tuning device or apparatus employing reeds in whichthereeds are accessible for individual tuning of the reed to theparticular pitch or rate of vibration without moving the reed from thedevice or removing screws or other parts.

Second, to provide a tuning device in which the reeds vibrate at theproper rate or pitch under widely varying air pressures, withoutaltering the pitch.

Third, to provide a device in which the reed is so mounted that varyingpitch incident to choking cannot result.

Fourth, to provide a tuning device which is not subject to or affectedby varying atmospheric conditions such as varying humidity.

Fifth, to provide a tuning device which may be variously positioned onan instrument to be tuned-for example, a piano, or may be manipulated tobring the reed thereof into close proximity to a vibrating string, thusenabling the workman to tune the string into exact unison with thevibratingreed.

Sixth, to provide a tuning apparatus comprising a plurality ofindividual units embracing an octave in chromatic sequence and whichcollectively constitute what is known as the equal temperament.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed outin the claims,

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying my invention, theseries or complement of units being arranged within a casing; the coverof which is partially broken away, the induction'tube being shown withinthe casing1- Fig. 2 is a plan view'with the cover partially broken away.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section on line 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 4.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section on line 4-4 of Fig.3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the units, the induction tubebeing partially broken away.

In the accompanying drawing, l is a box of suitable dimensions adaptedto receive a complete set of thirteen of the units 2 constituting acomplete apparatus. The cover 3 is hinged at 4 Y and is provided withstrips 5 on the inner side thereof which close against the tops of theunits 2 when they are arranged in side by side relation within the box,as shown in Fig. 1.

These box-like members 2 are of such size as to provide air chambers orresilience chambers 6 of substantial size. They are preferably formed ofwood and the tops 1 have slots 8 therein. The reed plates 9 are mountedon the outer sides of the tops by means of screws In. The reed plateshave slots 1 I therein opening to the slots 8 of the chambers B.

The reeds [2 are mounted on the outer sides of the reed plates tovibratewithin the slots thereof and consequentl are subject to the air pressurewith the resilience chamber. The capacity of the resilience chamber issuch as to permit free movement of the reed under substantially varyingair pressures within the resilience chamber without altering the pitch.

The mounting of the reed plates on the top of the outer side oftheresilience chamber units and the mounting of the reeds on the outersides of the reed plates makes the reeds accessible so that they may betuned to the proper pitch or to vibrate at the proper frequency withoutremoving the reed plate from the resilience chamber unit, thusfacilitating the exchange of reeds.

Each unit is provided with an air inlet opening 13 preferably at one endthereof which is adapted to receive the coupling nipple M of theinduction tube l5. This induction tube is of flexible tubing and has amouthpiece It at its outer end. The tube is preferably of substantiallength, preferably at least in the neighborhood of twentyfour inches sothat the unit may be positioned at a convenient place on a suitablesupport or part of the instrument being tuned permitting the tuner oruser to move to different positions as may be required. The unit is alsoof such size that it may be. conveniently grasped and positionedrelative to the string that is being tuned so-that the tuner 'or usercan best determine when the vibrationsof the string are in unison orapproach unison with those of the reed.

The complete apparatus consists of at least thirteen of the units whichare tuned in chromatic sequence and collectively constitute what isknown as the equal temperament.

The units are provided with a suitable musical scale indicia as isindicated in the drawing so that the operator or tuner merely selectsthe desired unit by means of the indicia thereon.

These devices are not subject to varying hu- My improved apparatusenables relatively unskilled persons to efiectively tune a piano, mal:-.

ing it possible for the average person to keep his own instrumentproperly tuned and also enabling persons to become qualified for thetuning of pianos, Without extended instruction or longape prenticeship.

I have illustrated and described my invention in very practicalembodiments thereofi I have of said reed plate for vibration in the slotthereof, the said resilience chamber being of such relatively largecapacity as to permit free vibration of the reed undersubstantiallyvarying air pressures Within the resilience chamber Withoutvarying the pitch, the resilience chamber having an air inlet opening,and a flexible air tube of substantial length provided with a mouthpieceat its outer end and with a coupling nipple detachably engageable withsaid inlet opening of said resilience chamber, said body member beingprovided with a bottom adapted to support it in upright position andbeing of a size to permit connot attempted to illustrate certainstructural modifications as itis believed that this disclosure willenable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements asmay be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A tuning device comprising a rectangular box-like resilience chamberunit formed of wood and having a one-piece top with a slot thereinopening to the chamber, a slotted reed plate mounted on the top of saidresilience chamber top, piece and having a reed mounted on the outerside thereof for vibration in the slot there-. of, the slot of the reedplate opening to the slot of said resilience chamber, the capacity ofsaid resilience chamber being such as to permit free vibration of thereed under substantially varying air pressures without altering thepitch, the resilience chamber having an inlet opening on one endthereof, and a flexible air tube of substantial length provided with amouthpiece at its outer end and with a coupling nipple detach.- ablyengageable with said inlet opening of said resilience chamber.

2. A tuning device comprising a resilience chamber unit having a slottherein opening to the chamber, a slotted reed plate mounted on saidresilience chamber and having a reed mounted on the outer side thereoffor vibration in the slot thereof, the slot of the reed plate opening tothe slot of said resilience chamber, the resilience chamber being ofsuch relatively large capacity as to permit free vibration of the reedunder substantially varying air pressures within the resilience chamberwithout varying the pitch, the resilience chamber having an opening, andan induction tube provided with a coupling nipple detachably engageablewith said inlet opening of said resilience chamber.

3. A tuning device comprising a body member having a resilience chamberhaving an opening therein, a slotted reed plate mounted on saidresilience chamber with its slot in communication with said resiliencechamber through saidopeningrthereof, a reed mounted on the outer sidevenient grasping thereof in the hand of the operator and readymanipulation thereof closely adjacent an instrument string to be tuned.

- 4. A tuning device comprising a body member having a resiliencechamber having an opening therein, a slotted reed plate mounted on saidresilience chamber with its slot in communication with said resiliencechamber through said opening thereof, a reed mounted on the outer sideof said reed plate for vibration in the slot thereof, the saidresilience chamber being of such relatively large capacity as to permitfree vibration of the reed under substantially'varye ing air pressuresWithin the resilience chamber, the resilience chamber having an airinlet opening, and a flexible air tube of substantial length providedwith a mouthpiece at its outer end and with a coupling nipple detachablyengageable with said inlet opening of said resilience chame ber.

5,, A tuning device comprising a body member having a resilience chamberhaving an opening therein, a slotted'reed plate mounted on saidresilience chamber with its slot in communica tion with said resiliencechamber through said opening thereof, a reed mounted on the outer sideof said reed plate for vibration in the slot thereof, the saidresilience chamber being of such relatively large capacity as to permitfree vibration of the reed under substantially varying air pressuresWithin the resilience chamber, the resilience chamber having an airinlet open- 7 ing, and an induction tube for said resilience chamber,said body member being provided with a bottom adapted to support it inupright position and being of a size to permit convenient graspingthereof in the hand of the operator and ready manipulation thereofclosely adjacent an instrument string to be tuned.

6. A tuning device comprising a body member having a resilience chamberhaving an opening therein, a slotted reed plate mounted on saidresilience chamber with its slot in communication with said resiliencechamber through the opening thereof, a reed mounted on said reed plate,the said resilience chamber being of such relatively large capacity asto permit free vibration of the reed under substantially varying airpressures within the resilience chamber, the resilience chamber havingan air inlet opening, and an induction tube for said resilience chamber.

' NILES, BRYANT.

